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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 WGx6hakjPrgkzNc5aO9Qt2XA9HshSMuxCNla5uquB49rGP/cpmtamkBdT65ifWqk
 HHWmAPC2c5ebN+3UV4y5KQ==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001209191-03-013322.txt : 20030724
<SEC-HEADER>0001209191-03-013322.hdr.sgml : 20030724
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20030724172748
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001209191-03-013322
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20030724
FILED AS OF DATE:		20030724

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			MURRAY PATRICK M
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001248351

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-10762
		FILM NUMBER:		03801647

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		15835 PARK TEN PLACE DR
		STREET 2:		STE 115
		CITY:			HOUSTON
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			77084

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			HARVEST NATURAL RESOURCES INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000845289
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	CRUDE PETROLEUM & NATURAL GAS [1311]
		IRS NUMBER:				770196707
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		15835 PARK TEN PLACE DRIVE
		STREET 2:		SUITE 115
		CITY:			HOUSTON
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			77084
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2815796700

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		15835 PARK TEN PLACE DRIVE
		STREET 2:		SUITE 115
		CITY:			HOUSTON
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			77084

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	BENTON OIL & GAS CO
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19920703
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>doc4.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 4 SUBMISSION
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?><ownershipDocument><schemaVersion>X0101</schemaVersion>    <documentType>4</documentType><periodOfReport>2003-07-24</periodOfReport><notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16><issuer><issuerCik>0000845289</issuerCik><issuerName>HARVEST NATURAL RESOURCES INC</issuerName>        <issuerTradingSymbol>HNR</issuerTradingSymbol></issuer><reportingOwner><reportingOwnerId><rptOwnerCik>0001248351</rptOwnerCik><rptOwnerName>MURRAY PATRICK M</rptOwnerName></reportingOwnerId><reportingOwnerAddress><rptOwnerStreet1>  </rptOwnerStreet1><rptOwnerStreet2>  </rptOwnerStreet2><rptOwnerCity>  </rptOwnerCity><rptOwnerState>  </rptOwnerState><rptOwnerZipCode>  </rptOwnerZipCode></reportingOwnerAddress><reportingOwnerRelationship><isDirector>1</isDirector><isOfficer>0</isOfficer><isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner><isOther>0</isOther></reportingOwnerRelationship></reportingOwner><derivativeSecurity><securityTitle><value>Phantom Stock</value><footnoteId id="F1" /></securityTitle><conversionOrExerciseP
rice><value>6.11</value></conversionOrExercisePrice><transactionDate><value>2003-07-24</value></transactionDate><deemedExecutionDate><value>2003-07-24</value></deemedExecutionDate><transactionCoding><transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType><transactionCode>I</transactionCode><equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved></transactionCoding><transactionTimeliness><value></value></transactionTimeliness><transactionAmounts><transactionShares><value>14730</value></transactionShares><transactionValue><value>6.11</value></transactionValue><transactionAcquiredDisposedCode><value>A</value></transactionAcquiredDisposedCode></transactionAmounts><exerciseDate><value>1988-08-08</value><footnoteId id="F1" /></exerciseDate><expirationDate><value>1988-08-08</value><footnoteId id="F1" /></expirationDate><underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>Common stock</value></underlyingSecurityTitle><underlyingSecurityShares><value>14730</value></underlyingSecurityShares></underlyingSecurity><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOw
nedFollowingTransaction><value>84584</value></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership></ownershipNature></derivativeSecurity><footnotes><footnote id="F1">The shares of phantom stock will be settled in cash, either in a lump sum or in three or five annual installments, as soon as possible following termination from the board of directors.</footnote></footnotes><ownerSignature><signatureName>Kerry R. Brittain, by Power of Attorney</signatureName><signatureDate>2003-07-24</signatureDate></ownerSignature></ownershipDocument>

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</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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